Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Estate of NASCAR’s Greg Biffle Months After Plane Crash A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against the estate of NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, months after a plane crash claimed his life and that of six others. The lawsuit, initiated by the estate of Dennis Dutton, alleges that Biffle owned the Cessna 550 involved in the crash and was responsible for its maintenance, operation, and safety. The case seeks $15 million in damages. Additionally, the estate of Emma Biffle, Biffle’s wife, filed a separate wrongful death lawsuit against the Dutton estate, requesting $10 million. The crash occurred on December 18, 2025, when Biffle, his wife, their two children, and three other passengers—Dennis Dutton, Jack Dutton, and Craig Wadsworth—were killed in a fiery incident at the Statesville Regional Airport. The Cessna 550 was attempting to return to the runway when it crashed. Court documents reveal that the lawsuit against Biffle’s estate centers on his alleged responsibility for the aircraft’s condition and safety protocols. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report on January 30, detailing potential factors contributing to the crash. The report highlighted a combination of faulty flight instruments and pilot behavior. While the crash involved seven passengers, the report only noted the experiences of three. It did not specify who was piloting the plane, though the Associated Press confirmed that Biffle was not the pilot. The NTSB report outlined several malfunctions on the day of the crash, including a faulty altitude indicator, malfunctioning flight instruments, and issues with the engine power and temperature gauges. The plane first struck an object at approximately 1,400 feet above the runway before catching fire.#nascar #greg_biffle #dennis_dutton #ntsb #statesville_regional_airport
Two Wrongful Death Lawsuits Filed in Deadly Biffle Plane Crash Two new wrongful death lawsuits have been filed in connection with the fatal December plane crash that claimed the lives of former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their two children, and pilots Dennis Dutton and his son Jack. The lawsuits, filed by the Dutton estates earlier this week, each seek $15 million in damages. The Dutton family alleges that Biffle, who owned the aircraft, was responsible for ensuring the plane was properly maintained. According to the filings, inadequate maintenance and upkeep contributed to the crash. The crash occurred on December 18 when the Cessna 500 Citation II, piloted by Dennis Dutton, crashed shortly after takeoff from Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. A preliminary report released earlier this year indicated that the plane’s altimeter was providing incorrect readings, and Dennis Dutton had transferred control to his son, Jack Dutton, just before the crash. The aircraft erupted into a large fire upon impact, landing about a third of a mile from the airport’s runway. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has confirmed that Jack Dutton was seated in the copilot position during the flight. However, neither Jack Dutton nor Biffle held the necessary endorsement on their pilot’s licenses to serve as a copilot on that particular aircraft. Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, who previously investigated crashes for both the NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration, stated that the absence of an experienced copilot may have been a critical factor in the crash. The NTSB is still conducting its investigation and has not yet released its final report. The agency’s findings could play a pivotal role in determining liability and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.#greg_biffle #dennis_dutton #jack_dutton #crisina_biffle #cessna_500_citation_ii
